Seal & Insulate- Stop the Heat and Save Money

Appoximately 60 percent of existing homes are inadequately insulated according to a Harvard Study. Air leaks and poor insulation can increase energy bills by 40 percent or more.

Perhaps the simplest way to increase your home's energy efficiency is to seal air leaks and add insulation. It is a cost-effective way to lower energy bills and make your home more comfortable. It's important to control the movement of air and heat between the interior of your home and the outside world. The exterior of a home is referred to as an envelope. Improving the integrity of this envelope can often be done by a homeowner.

Let's start with air leaks. These are gaps, cracks, or holes where air passes in or out. We pay to condition air by heating it in the winter and cooling it in the summer. The most common methods to seal air leaks are caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping. The attic and basement are the most common areas for costly air leaks. Other places to consider are doors, windows, light fixtures, chimneys, and holes for pipes. Small openings can be sealed with caulk either applied from a tube or inexpensive caulk gun. Spray foam is also very effective and readily available from home improvement stores. Weather-stripping is as easy to apply as tape and comes in various sizes and styles. It is most useful around windows and doors.

Insulation is designed to prevent the flow of heat. It keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The older a home is, the more likely it could benefit from increased insulation. Insulating walls and floors also helps maintain temperatures and thus saves money. The easiest type of insulation for the homeowner to install are bats or blankets of rolled insulation. These are simple to cut and roll into place in the attic (assuming your attic has room to manuever). Insulation is rated by resistance to heat flow referred to as an R-value. The most practical efficiency is based on a region's climate. An R-30 value is generally recommended for attics in moderate climates, while up to an R-50 value is suggested for very cold regions.

A good site for information on insulation, including links to energy saving calculators, is Simply Insulate. The Federal Government's Energy Star site offers a great publication entitled A Do It Yourself Guide to Home Sealing.